The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1887-03-25
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our regular correspondent ]
WASHINGTON. March 21st 1873

The most important legislation expec-
ted of the Congress Just ended failed be-
cause of the stupid organization of the
House. Speaker Carlisle demonstrated
an utter lack of Judgment and political
leadership in assigning Mr.. Randall to
a controlling position which that gentle
man used to defeat his party's pledges.
1t is stated that since the adjournment
of Congress, several prominent Demo-
cratic members have told Mr.. Carlisle
that unless he promised to keep Mr..
Randall off the Appropriations Commit
tee at the next session, they would not
support him (Carlisle) for reelection 10
the Speakership.
The hundreds of Government clerks
who are suffering from the unsanitary
condition Of the Treasury building,
place all of the responsibility for the
RandalPs shoulders. His disposition is
to oppose all appropriations that are not
in his opinion necessary. When spoken
to in regard to the unhealthfui air of the
Treasury, he foollshly remarked that he
had visited that Department on several
occasions, and could not smell any sew
er gas. .
The Democratic party promises to be
weakened in the next Congress even be-
yond its present condition. The Fifth
eth Congress will come in with two
thirds of the Democrats new men, and
those who have studied its composition
carefully since the election agree that
the perSonsl is weak. A Democratic
member who was talking on the subject
recently acknowledged that everything
in the last House went to the bad, as far
as the party was concerned, for want of
q leader, and he added that the next
House would be a mere plaything in the
hands Of the Republicans on account of
the new recruits on the other side who
are utterly without experience Or repu-
tation. IL requires an apprenticeship of
two years foIa man TO learn the parlia-
mentary rules and working methods of
Congress, and in the matter of leader
ship the Republicans stood in bold con-
trast 10 the Democrats in the House
which has Just closed its existence.
As Senator Edmunds is seldom drawn
into free expressions Of his views on GER
tain subjects, they are all the more
prized when he does occasionally in
dulge in talk. In his opinion, Mr..
Cleveland's Administration IL not sue
cessfnl, Whatever the desires and inten-
tons Of those at the head Of affairs may
have been. Il was impossible for them
10 follow out successful policy with the
weight Of party 30 composed. While
all the Presidents have made some bad
appointments, he thinks Mr.. Cleveland
has been more often betrayed than any.
A large percentage Of his appointees
have bsen either incompetent or inn
proper persons, or, being competent,
have been rascals. some Of these men
he has selected without knowing any
thing about them; others he appointed
upon the endorsement Of members OF
Congre8 Of his party who have not hesi-
tailed % betray his couGdence.
President Cleveland has been pullesas
both ways, continued the Senior from
Vermont, betweea be aiVII service re-
fora pledges STsd the party pressure.
SOMETIMES he appeared b. hold 10 the
one and sometimes b yield 20 the other. |
Toe Senator firmly believes thst the !
democrats Gill EsnOminais him, he's |
ever, for fear they cannot find an0tf;er !
nsaR who ElIHsi 10 as well.